Destination guidance system, destination guidance server, user terminal, destination guidance method, computer readable memory that stores program for making computer generate information associated with guidance in building, destination guidance data acquisition system, destination guidance data acquisition server, destination guidance data acquisition terminal, destination guidance data acquisition method, and computer readable memory that stores program for making computer acquire data associated with guidance in building

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a destination guidance system for providing presentation information that contains guidance pertaining to movement from a place of departure to a destination on the basis of structure information and guidance information on the premises of a building or construction. The presentation information contains both information of the entire three-dimensional structure, and detailed information, and a three-dimensional movement and normal two-dimensional movement in the presentation information are presented by different methods. Also, this invention is directed to a destination guidance data acquisition system for acquiring structure information and guidance information on the premises of a building, which are used by the destination guidance system. The destination guidance data acquisition system inputs and compiles information of a three-dimensional structure on the basis of a plan view of the building to support acquisition of the detailed information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2001-292866, filed Sep.26, 2001; and No. 2002-052771, filed Feb. 28, 2002, the entire contentsof both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a destination guidance systemfor guiding in a building with a complicated structure such as a railwaystation, underground area, and the like, a destination guidance dataacquisition system for acquiring information required for guidance, andthe like.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In recent years, a route guidance system that guides the userfrom a place of departure to a destination has become prevalent. As atypical example of such a system, a car navigation system is known.Also, some types of route guidance systems for pedestrians have alsobeen commercially available. For example, a portable terminal with a GPS(Global Positioning System) receiver has been released, and a systemthat gives route guidance on the basis of position information of theuser has been introduced. Furthermore, a system with which the userreceives route guidance by explicitly designating a place of departureand destination using a PC, portable terminal, and the like has beenintroduced.

[0006] In such route guidance systems, guidance routes are manuallyprepared in advance. However, in this system, the guidance range islimited. For this reason, most systems search a pedestrians routenetwork purchased from a map company to automatically generate aguidance route.

[0007] In contrast, a system that guides in a building such as a railwaystation, underground area, or the like is not so prevalent at present.As an example of a system that has been introduced currently, a systemthat shows train cars that stop near stairs and their doors is availablein some railway stations. However, this system can only guide from theplatform of a departure station to that of a destination station usingtext prepared in advance. Therefore, this system cannot automaticallygenerate an individual route in a railway station, that can be providedto each user.

[0008] At some subway ticket gates, photos are displayed to showsurrounding landscapes at the top of the stairs. Furthermore, a systemthat gives route guidance by creating a pseudo three-dimensional spaceby pasting and interpolating some photos of landscapes on the premisesof a building or construction is available. However, since each photo isinformation that indicates only a landscape from a given viewpoint, theycannot provide a global image of the building or route guidance to adestination.

[0009] In addition, a service that guides using a map obtained by2.5-dimensionally deforming a three-dimensional structure of a buildingis available. However, with this service, guidance routes are manuallyprepared in advance, and the service does not automatically generate aroute in accordance with the place of departure and destinationindividually designated by the user upon guidance.

[0010] In this way, the conventional destination guidance system doesnot automatically generate each individual route in accordance with theplace of departure and destination individually designated by the userupon guidance. Also, the system provides neither a global image of thebuilding nor route guidance to a destination in accordance with themovement of the user. For this reason, such a system is not suitable fortransfer guidance in a large-scale railway station where long-distanceand shuttle trains cross, guidance of an underground area, and the like.As one of the causes of such difficulty, it is difficult toautomatically generate a guidance route since there are innumerablelines along which pedestrians can go in a broad space (to be referred toas a broad-area site hereinafter) such as the vicinity of ticket gates,concourse, and the like in a railway station.

[0011] As one of solutions to the aforementioned problems, a methoddisclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-298034 can beapplied. In this method, a route network with a mesh pattern is formedin a broad-area site, and a route is generated by searching the network.However, with this method, it is difficult to uniquely determineparameters such as components, resolution, and the like of the mesh. Forexample, quite different routes are generated depending on whether eachcomponent of the mesh is defined by a rectangle or a triangle obtainedby dividing the rectangle by a diagonal line. On the other hand, whenthe mesh has a low resolution, the computation volume required for routesearch decreases, but unnatural detour route may be generated. Incontrast, if the mesh has a high resolution, a detour route can beprevented from being generated, but the computation volume increases. Inthis manner, in the method using the network in the mesh pattern,parameters to be assigned must be determined by trial and error incorrespondence with the shape of the broad-area site.

[0012] As another solution, a method of generating a route by bendingthe traveling direction of light rays, that are emitted forward from thecurrent place, toward a destination, and tracing the first vertices thatintercept the light rays is available (Pedestrian Information ProvidingSystem: Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-319839). However, thismethod cannot generate a plain route for the user since it has no schemefor decreasing the number of turning points included in a route,determining a route that goes by a distinctive landmark, and so forth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the aforementionedproblems, and has as its object to provide a destination guidance systemthat automatically generates and presents an individual route inaccordance with the place of departure and destination designated byeach user, and the like.

[0014] The present invention may provide a destination guidance systemutilizing a structure on premises of a building, which comprises: astructure information memory which stores structure informationcorresponding to information pertaining to the structure on the premisesof the building, the structure information including a plurality ofguide points on the premises of the building, and route data indicatingmoving routes that connect the plurality of guide points; a guidanceinformation memory which stores first guidance information includinglandmark data and landscape data concerning a plurality of approach andexit directions to and from each of the guide points; an input unitconfigured to make a user input a desired place of departure anddestination; a recommended route generation unit configured to generatea recommended route, which is recommended upon movement from the placeof departure to the destination, by selecting and connecting at leastone of the route data stored in the structure information memory; apresentation information generation unit configured to extract secondguidance information concerning the plurality of the approach and exitdirections to and from at least one guide point, which is present on therecommended route, from the first guidance information in the guidanceinformation memory, and to generate presentation information thatcontains the second guidance information; and a presentation unitconfigured to present the presentation information.

[0015] The present invention may provide a railway station destinationguidance system utilizing a structure on the premises of a railwaystation, which comprises: a structure information memory which storesstructure information corresponding to information pertaining to thestructure on the premises of the railway station, the structureinformation including a plurality of guide points on the premises of therailway station, and route data indicating moving routes that connectthe plurality of guide points; a guidance information memory whichstores guidance information, the guidance information including landmarkdata and landscape data which concerns a plurality of approach and exitdirections to and from each of the guide points; an input unitconfigured to make a user input a desired place of departure anddestination; a recommended route generation unit configured to generatea recommended route, which is recommended upon movement from the placeof departure to the destination, by selecting and connecting the routedata stored in the structure information memory; a presentationinformation generation unit configured to extract second guidanceinformation concerning the plurality of the approach and exit directionsto and from at least one of the guide points, which is present on therecommended route, from the first guidance information in the guidanceinformation memory, and to generate presentation information thatcontains the second guidance information; and a presentation unitconfigured to present the presentation information.

[0016] The present invention may provide a server apparatus whichgenerates information pertaining to guidance on the premises of abuilding and sends the information to a user terminal and utilizes astructure on the premises of a building, comprising: a communicationdevice configured to communicate with the user terminal; a structureinformation memory which stores structure information corresponding toinformation pertaining to the structure on the premises of the building,the structure information including a plurality of guide points on thepremises of the building and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points; a guidance information memorywhich stores first guidance information, which includes landmark dataand landscape data concerning a plurality of approach and exitdirections to and from each of the guide points; a recommended routegeneration unit configured to generate a recommended route, which isrecommended upon movement from a place of departure to a destinationinput from the user terminal, by selecting and connecting at least oneof the route data stored in the structure information memory; and apresentation information generation unit configured to extract secondguidance information concerning the plurality of the approach and exitdirections to and from at least one of the guide point, which is presenton the recommended route, from the first guidance information in theguidance information memory, and to generate presentation informationwhich contains the second guidance information and is sent to the userterminal via the communication device.

[0017] The present invention may provide a user terminal communicatingwith a server apparatus which generates information pertaining toguidance on a premises of a building, comprising: an input unitconfigured to input a desired place of departure and destination on thepremises of the building; a communication device configured to send theplace of departure and destination to the server apparatus, and toreceive the information pertaining to guidance on the premises of thebuilding from the server apparatus; and a presentation unit configuredto present the information pertaining to guidance on the premises of thebuilding.

[0018] The present invention may provide a destination guidance methodcomprising: storing structure information corresponding to informationpertaining to a structure on the premises of a building, the structureinformation including a plurality of guide points on the premises of thebuilding, and route data indicating moving routes that connect theplurality of guide points in a guidance information memory; storingfirst guidance information, which includes landmark data and landscapedata concerning a plurality of approach and exit directions to and fromeach of the guide points; making a user input a desired place ofdeparture and destination; generating a recommended route, which isrecommended upon movement from the place of departure to thedestination, by selecting and connecting at least one of the storedroute data; extracting second guidance information concerning theplurality of the approach and exit directions to and from at least oneof the guide point, which is present on the recommended route, from theguidance information in the guidance information memory; generatingpresentation information that contains the guidance information; andpresenting the presentation information.

[0019] The present invention may provide a computer readable memorystoring a guidance program, the guidance program comprising: first storemeans for causing a computer to store structure informationcorresponding to information pertaining to a structure on the premisesof a building, the structure information including a plurality of guidepoints on the premises of the building and route data indicating movingroutes that connect the plurality of guide points; second store meansfor causing a computer to store guidance information, which includeslandmark data and landscape data for a plurality of approach and exitdirections to and from each of the guide points in a guidanceinformation memory; first generation means for causing a computer togenerate a recommended route, which is recommended upon movement from aplace of departure to a destination which are input from a userterminal, by selecting and connecting at least one of the stored routedata; second means for causing a computer to extract guidanceinformation concerning the plurality of the approach and exit directionsto and from at least one of the guide points, which is present on therecommended route, from the guidance information memory, and forgenerating presentation information that contains the guidanceinformation; and means for causing a computer to send the presentationinformation to the user terminal via a communication device.

[0020] The present invention may provide a destination guidance dataacquisition system which comprises: a presentation unit configured topresent a structural drawing on the premises of a building; a structureinformation generation unit configured to generate structure informationby designating a plurality of guide points on the premises of thebuilding and route data indicating moving routes that connect theplurality of guide points on the structural drawing on the premises ofthe building; a structure information memory which stores the structureinformation; a guidance information generation unit configured togenerate guidance information by inputting landmark data or landscapedata, which serve as landmarks in a plurality of line-of-sightdirections upon approaching or existing from each of the plurality ofguide points of the structure information; and

[0021] a guidance information memory which stores the guide informationfor each of the guide points.

[0022] The present invention may provide a destination guidance dataacquisition terminal which acquires information pertaining to guidanceon the premises of a building, and sends the acquired information to aserver, comprising: a presentation unit configured to present astructural drawing of the premises of the building; a structureinformation generation unit configured to generate structure informationby designating a plurality of guide points on the premises of thebuilding and route data indicating moving routes that connect theplurality of guide points on the presented structural drawing of thepremises of the building; a guidance information generation unitconfigured to generate guidance information by inputting landmark dataor landscape data, which serve as landmarks in a plurality ofline-of-sight directions upon approaching or existing from each of theplurality of guide points of the structure information; and acommunication device configured to send the structure information andthe guidance information for each guide point to the server.

[0023] The present invention may provide a destination guidance dataacquisition server which acquires data pertaining to guidance on thepremises of a building in accordance with an input from a destinationguidance data acquisition terminal, comprising: a communication deviceconfigured to communicate with the destination guidance data acquisitionterminal; a structure information memory which stores structureinformation corresponding to information received by said communicationdevice , the structure information being generated by designating aplurality of guide points, and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points on a structural drawing of thepremises of the building; and a guidance information memory whichstores, for each guide point, guidance information corresponding toinformation received by said communication device, the guidanceinformation being generated by inputting landmark data or landscape datawhich serve as landmarks in a plurality of line-of-sight directions uponapproaching or existing from each of the plurality of guide points ofthe structure information.

[0024] The present invention may provide a destination guidance dataacquisition method which comprises: generating structure information bydesignating a plurality of guide points on the premises of the buildingand route data indicating moving routes that connect the plurality ofguide points on a structural drawing of the premises of a building;storing the structure information; generating guidance information byinputting landmark data or landscape data, which serve as landmarks in aplurality of line-of-sight directions upon approaching or existing fromeach of the plurality of guide points of the structure information;storing the guide information for each guide point; and presenting atleast one of the structural drawing of the premises of the building, thestructure information, and the guidance information.

[0025] The present invention may provide a computer readable memorystoring a guidance program, the guidance program which comprises: meansfor causing a computer to present a structural drawing of premises of abuilding; first generation means for causing a computer to generatestructure information by designating a plurality of guide points on thepremises of the building and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points on the presented structuraldrawing of the premises of the building; second generation means forcausing a computer to generate guidance information by inputtinglandmark data or landscape data, which serve as landmarks in a pluralityof line-of-sight directions upon approaching or existing from each ofthe plurality of guide points of the structure information; and meansfor causing a computer to send the structure information and theguidance information for each guide point to the server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance system according to the first embodiment;

[0027]FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts showing the flow of processes inthe first embodiment;

[0028]FIGS. 3A to 3F show examples of an input window of the place ofdeparture and destination at a user terminal in the first embodiment;

[0029]FIGS. 4A to 4C show an example of structure information in thefirst embodiment;

[0030]FIGS. 5A to 5C show an example of route information in the firstembodiment;

[0031]FIG. 6 shows an example of guidance information in the firstembodiment;

[0032]FIGS. 7A and 7B show the arrangement of a movement informationgeneration unit and an example of movement information in the firstembodiment;

[0033]FIG. 8 shows an example of presentation information in the firstembodiment;

[0034]FIGS. 9A to 9F show examples of a destination guidancepresentation window at the user terminal in the first embodiment;

[0035]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a switching unit,position acquisition unit, and position providing unit in the firstembodiment;

[0036]FIG. 11 shows a state wherein the destination guidancepresentation window in the first embodiment is automatically switched;

[0037]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition apparatus according to the secondembodiment;

[0038]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processes in the secondembodiment;

[0039]FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts showing the flow of processes inthe structure information compile step in the second embodiment;

[0040]FIGS. 15A to 15D show examples of a structure information compilewindow on a destination guidance data acquisition terminal in the secondembodiment;

[0041]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processes in theguidance information compile step in the second embodiment;

[0042]FIG. 17 shows the overall arrangement of a destination guidanceservice in each embodiment;

[0043]FIG. 18 shows the overall arrangement of a destination guidancedata acquisition service in each embodiment;

[0044]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition apparatus according to the thirdembodiment;

[0045]FIGS. 20A to 20E are views for explaining the structureinformation compile step in the second embodiment;

[0046]FIGS. 21A to 21C are flowcharts showing the flow of processes inthe structure information compile step in the third embodiment;

[0047]FIGS. 22A to 22E show processing examples in the structureinformation compile step in the third embodiment;

[0048]FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition apparatus according to the fourthembodiment;

[0049]FIGS. 24A and 24B are flowcharts showing the flow of processes inthe structure information compile step in the fourth embodiment;

[0050]FIGS. 25A to 25E show a visibility determination process of alandmark in the fourth embodiment;

[0051]FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance apparatus according to the fifth embodiment;

[0052]FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition apparatus according to the sixthembodiment;

[0053]FIG. 28 shows conversion examples of landscape data in the sixthembodiment;

[0054]FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance apparatus according to the seventh embodiment;

[0055]FIG. 30 shows a layout example of wireless devices in the eighthembodiment;

[0056]FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a positionacquisition unit in the eighth embodiment;

[0057]FIG. 32 shows a guidance route and a layout example of wirelessdevices in the eighth embodiment;

[0058]FIG. 33 shows an example of layout information of wireless devicesin the eighth embodiment;

[0059]FIG. 34 shows an example of position detection control informationin the eighth embodiment;

[0060]FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the flow of processes of theposition acquisition unit in the eighth embodiment;

[0061]FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of adestination guidance system of the present invention;

[0062]FIG. 37 shows an example of information which is provided by adestination guidance system according to the ninth embodiment to theuser;

[0063]FIG. 38 shows a presentation example of one of a plurality ofpieces of destination guidance information displayed in transferguidance in the ninth embodiment;

[0064]FIG. 39 shows an example of a correspondence table between thesearch conditions and objective classes in the ninth embodiment;

[0065]FIG. 40 shows an example of a correspondence table between theuser conditions and objective classes in the ninth embodiment; and

[0066]FIG. 41 is an operation flowchart of a route listing unit in theninth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] The first to ninth embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

[0068] The first embodiment of the present invention will be describedfirst. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a destination guidance systemaccording to the first embodiment. This destination guidance systemroughly comprises a user terminal 1A carried by a pedestrian, and adestination guidance server 2A equipped by a destination guidanceservice provider. In the following description, assume that thedestination guidance system is applied to a railway station to give aspecific explanation.

[0069] The user terminal 1A is a compact computer such as a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), portable phone, or the like, which can beeasily carried by a pedestrian. The user terminal 1A has a communicationunit 11, control unit 12, input unit 13, and presentation unit 14.

[0070] The communication unit 11 is a device for exchanging presentationinformation and input information (to be described later) with thedestination guidance server 2A. The control unit 12 controls theoperations of respective building components. The input unit 13comprises a touch pen, operation keys such as buttons, mouse, microphonefor voice input, and the like, and is used to input the place ofdeparture and destination of destination guidance, and to switchpresentation information presented on the presentation unit 14. Thepresentation unit 14 comprises a display or loudspeaker, and presentspresentation information received from the destination guidance server2A via the communication unit 11.

[0071] The destination guidance server 2A is a high-performance computerequipped by the destination guidance service provider, and has acommunication unit 21, control unit 22, presentation informationgeneration unit 23, route information generation unit 24, guidanceinformation storage unit 25, and structure information storage unit 26.

[0072] The communication unit 21 is a device for exchanging presentationinformation and input information (to be described later) with the userterminal 1A. The control unit 22 reads out guidance information from theguidance information storage unit 24 in accordance with an approach orexit direction to a guide point of a generated route, and controls theoperations of respective system components. The presentation informationgeneration unit 23 generates presentation information (to be describedlater) that is easy for the user to understand. The route informationgeneration unit 24 stores guidance information that serves as a landmarkat a point to be guided (to be referred to as a guide point hereinafter)The structure information storage unit 26 stores structure informationas information of the three-dimensional structure of the building.

[0073]FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts showing the processing sequence inthe destination guidance system. The process in step S103 (i.e., theprocesses shown in FIG. 2B) is executed by the destination guidanceserver 2A. Other processes are executed by the user terminal 1A.

[0074] At the user terminal 1A, the user inputs the place of departureand destination of destination guidance using the input unit 13 (stepS101). FIGS. 3A to 3F show an example of a user interface used uponexecuting this input process.

[0075] As an initial window, a window that includes four input forms,two search buttons, one reset button, and a [destination guidance GO]button used to display guidance, as shown in FIG. 3A, is displayed. Onthis window, the user inputs a keyword associated with the place ofdeparture, e.g., “S station, T line”, as shown in FIG. 3B. When the userthen designates the search button, a list of places in the stationassociated with the input keyword is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3C (inFIG. 3C, seven candidates such as “T line, south exit” and the like aredisplayed with respect to the designated keyword “S station, T line”).The user can select and designate the place of departure from one ofthese candidates, e.g., “platform No. 2 (for A)” as his or her currentlocation.

[0076] The user can designate the destination in the same manner as theplace of departure. For example, when the user inputs “S station, Yline”, as shown in FIG. 3D, and designates the search button, a list ofplaces in the station associated with the keyword is displayed, as shownin FIG. 3E. The user can select and designate one of these candidates asin destination of the place of departure. Upon completion of input ofthe place of departure and destination, as shown in FIG. 3F, when theuser designates the [destination guidance GO] button at the lower rightposition of the window, the next process starts.

[0077] Note that the user interface used to designate the place ofdeparture and destination is not limited to the example shown in FIGS.3A to 3F. As other examples, a method of designating the place ofdeparture and destination using type-dependent hierarchical menus suchas a platform, exit, ticket gate, ticket booth, restroom, and the like,a method of directly designating a position by displaying the plan viewof the station, an input method using voice, and the like may be used.

[0078] In the example shown in FIGS. 3A to 3F, the user directly inputsthe place of departure and destination. By contrast, the place ofdeparture may be automatically designated using near-distance wirelesscommunications such as Bluetooth™. In such a case, position data can beacquired from a position providing unit 31 (see FIG. 11) which is set inadvance at a branch point in the building or at an entrance of a room.Furthermore, when this system links with an existing transfer service,the place of departure and destination can be automatically determinedusing the transfer guidance result.

[0079] The description will revert to the flowchart of FIG. 2A. Theinformation associated with the input place of departure and destinationis sent to the destination guidance server 2A via the communication unit11 (step S102). The destination guidance server 2A receives theinformation associated with the place of departure and destination, andexecutes the processes shown in FIG. 2B (step S103).

[0080] The destination guidance server 2A receives the place ofdeparture and destination sent from the user terminal 1A by thecommunication unit 21 (step S103A). The route information generationunit 24 generates optimal route information on the basis of thestructure information stored in the structure information storage unit26 (step S103B).

[0081] Note that the structure information consists of route data andguide point data, and represents the structure on the premises of thebuilding or construction. The guide point data indicates positionscorresponding to a plurality of places in the building, which are to bepresented to the user as a guidance. For example, a guide pointindicates a position corresponding to a place such as a turning point ofa contour line, a foyer of stairs, ticket gates, an entrance of room, anobstacle, and the like, which can be used as candidates of the place ofdeparture and destination of destination guidance. Also, the route dataindicates a line segment corresponding to a route which connectsdifferent guide point data. Therefore, the route data is divided byguide point data or branches at guide point data.

[0082] Note that the route data and guide point data that form thestructure information are stored in the structure information storageunit 26 respectively in formats shown in, e.g., FIGS. 4B and 4C.

[0083] The route information generation unit 24 extracts a portioncorresponding to an optimal route that connects the place of departureand destination from the structure information. This process ispreferably implemented using a Dijkstra's algorithm, which is known as amethod of obtaining an optimal route on the network. As a cost of thisDijkstra's algorithm, the distance of a route is preferably used. Inthis manner, route information shown in FIG. 5A is generated. Assumethat an example of a route, which has guide point No. 23 as a place ofdeparture, goes along guide point Nos. 21, 20, and 13, and has guidepoint No. 10 as a destination is generated. In case of this example,FIGS. 5B and 5C are respectively extracted as route information from theroute data and guide point data shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

[0084] The presentation information generation unit 23 extracts guidanceinformation corresponding to the generated route information from theguidance information storage unit 25. Note that the guidance informationindicates landmark data or landscape data which serve as landmarks atrespective guide points for all the approach and exit directions.

[0085] For example, guidance information corresponding to the routeinformation in FIGS. 5B and 5C is as shown in FIG. 6. In thisinformation, since guide point No. 23 as the place of departure has onlythe exit direction, no information associated with the approachdirection is required. Likewise, guide point No. 10 as the destinationdoes not require any information associated with the exit direction.

[0086] Furthermore, in the process for extracting this guidanceinformation, a movement information generator 27 (see FIG. 7A) includedin the presentation information generation unit 23 generates movementinformation from the route information. Note that the movementinformation represents three-dimensional moving directions uponapproaching and exiting to and from each guide point, and the nextdirection to go for the user. For example, movement informationgenerated from the route information shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C is asshown in FIG. 7B.

[0087] The guidance information (see FIG. 6) and movement information(see FIG. 7B) generated in this way are combined with the generatedroute information (FIGS. 5B and 5C) as presentation information shown inFIG. 8 (step S103C). This presentation information is expressed bylandmark data and landscape data corresponding to the approach and exitdirections at respective guide points and next directions to go. Thispresentation information is converted into a format that the user canvisibly understand, and is sent to the user terminal 1A via thecommunication unit 21 (step S103D)

[0088] On the other hand, the user terminal 1A receives the presentationinformation sent from the destination guidance server 2A (step S104).Then, the presentation information corresponding to the current locationof the user is presented using windows shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F (stepS105).

[0089]FIGS. 9A to 9F present two-dimensional route guidance bydisplaying the route information and landmark information on a lowerportion of each window, and present three-dimensional route guide bydisplaying landscape data on an upper portion of each window. In thelandscape data, the current location and moving direction of the userare indicated by the position and direction of a two-dimensional arrow.For example, the window shown in FIG. 9A guides the user to go forwardalong a straight path. The window shown in FIG. 9B guides the user toturn to the left on a T-shaped path. The window shown in FIG. 9C guidesthe user to go forward along a straight path after a left turn.

[0090] The window shown in FIG. 9D informs the user of the presence ofdown stairs after a right turn by displaying a right downward arrow onthe landscape data. The window shown in FIG. 9E guides the user to godown the stairs after right turn. The window shown in FIG. 9F guides theuser to go toward the left track of the platform after the down stairs.

[0091] In this manner, this embodiment two-dimensionally presents theroute, landmark, and current moving direction, and can ease the user'sapprehension about “where am I?”. In addition, this embodiment presentsthe three-dimensional landscape and the next direction to go, and canease the user's apprehension about “which way must I go?”. Note that thewindows may be switched manually by the user using the operation keys orthe like of the input unit 13 of the user terminal 1A, or position datamay be sent from the position providing unit 31 set at the nearest guidepoint to the position acquisition unit 16 of the presentation unit 14,as shown in FIG. 10, and the switching unit 15 may automatically switchthe presentation contents on the presentation unit 14 in accordance withthat position data.

[0092] The position providing unit 31 and position acquisition unit 16can exchange data using near-distance wireless communications such asBluetooth™. The user can use such automatic switching system of thepresentation contents, as shown in, e.g., FIG. 11. The user can reachthe destination without operating the user terminal 1A.

[0093] In this manner, according to the destination guidance system ofthis embodiment, since the entire three-dimensional structure of thebuilding can be recognized, and landmark and landscape information,which can serve as a landmark for recognizing the current location canbe provided, a destination guidance service (FIG. 17) that is easy forthe user to understand can be implemented.

Second Embodiment

[0094] The second embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow. A destination guidance data acquisition system according to thesecond embodiment acquires structure information and guidanceinformation that pertain to an arbitrary building or construction.Respective pieces of information acquired by this system are provided tothe destination guidance system described in the first embodiment, andare used to practice the aforementioned guidance service.

[0095]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition system according to the secondembodiment.

[0096] This destination guidance data acquisition system roughlycomprises a destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B carried byan investigator of an information investigation agent, and a destinationguidance data acquisition server 2B which is equipped by the informationinvestigation agent. In the following description, assume that thedestination guidance data acquisition system is applied to a station asin the first embodiment.

[0097] The destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B is acompact computer such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), portablephone, or the like, which can be easily carried by a pedestrian. Thedestination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B has a control unit 12,input unit 13, presentation unit 14, structure information compile unit17, and guidance information compile unit 18.

[0098] The input unit 13 comprises a touch pen, operation keys such asbuttons, mouse, microphone for voice input, and the like, and is used toinput the place of departure and destination of destination guidance,and to switch presentation information presented on the presentationunit 14. The presentation unit 14 comprises a display or loudspeaker,and presents presentation information received from the destinationguidance data acquisition server 2B via a communication unit 11. Also,the presentation unit 14 presents structure information and guidanceinformation to be compiled.

[0099] The destination guidance data acquisition server 2B is a computerequipped by the information investigation agent, and comprises astructure information storage unit for storing structure informationthat indicates correspondence between route data and guide point data, aguidance information storage unit 25 for storing guidance information asinformation that represents landmark data or landscape data serving aslandmarks at guide points for all approach and exit directions, acommunication unit 21 used to communicate with the destination guidancedata acquisition terminal 1B, and a control unit 22 for controlling theoperations of the respective means.

[0100]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process in the destinationguidance data acquisition system. As can be seen from FIG. 13, thedestination guidance data acquisition process roughly includes twoprocesses, i.e., the structure information compile step (step S200) andthe guidance information compile step (step S300). FIGS. 14A and 14B areflowcharts of the structure information compile step. FIG. 14A shows theprocessing sequence of the destination guidance data acquisitionterminal 1B, and FIG. 14B shows that of the destination guidance dataacquisition server 2B.

[0101] The user inputs a plan view of the building from the input unit13 to the destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B (step S201).The plan view of the building may be read out from map data of thestation, which is prepared in advance. For example, the presentationunit 14 of the destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1Bdisplays the plan view and an operation mode menu using windows shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0102] The structure information compile unit 17 inputs and compilesstructure information (step S202). More specifically, the user selectsan appropriate operation mode from the operation mode menu, andoverwrites route data and guide point data on the plan view using atouch pen or the like. During the compile process of the structureinformation, the presentation unit 14 presents the compile state ofroute data and guide point data, as shown in FIG. 15C (15D), and thepresentation contents are updated every time a new compile operation ismade.

[0103] Note that the user can compile route data across a plurality ofplan views including stairs, elevator, escalator, and the like, whileswitching the plurality of plan views and corresponding structureinformation to be presented or scrolling the window using the operationkeys and the like of the input unit 13.

[0104] Upon completion of the input and compile processes of thestructure information, the input structure information is sent to thedestination guidance data acquisition server 2B via the communicationunit 11 (step S203). Subsequently, the destination guidance dataacquisition server 2B executes processes for storing the structureinformation in the sequence shown in FIG. 14B (step S204).

[0105] The destination guidance data acquisition server 2B receives thestructure information sent from the destination guidance dataacquisition terminal 1B by the communication unit 21 (step S204A). Theserver 2B stores the received structure information in the structureinformation storage unit 26 (step S204B), thus ending the process in thestructure information compile step. Note that the structure informationcan be stored in the format shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

[0106] The processing contents of the guidance information compile stepwill be explained below using the flowchart of FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, thedestination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B executes processes insteps S301 to S307, and the destination guidance data acquisition serverexecutes process in steps S308 and S309.

[0107] The destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1B makes theuser designate a point of departure of the compile process using theinput unit 13 (step S301). More specifically, the user designates aguide point on the window (similar to FIG. 15C or 15D) presented on thepresentation unit 14 at the end of the structure information compilestep using a touch pen or the like of the input unit 13.

[0108] The user then inputs and compiles guidance information at thedesignated guide point (step S302). More specifically, arrows that pointto respective approach and exit directions are displayed in turn on theguide point on the window (similar to FIG. 15C or 15D) presented on thepresentation unit 14. The user inputs and compiles landmark data andlandscape data using the guidance information compile unit 18 incorrespondence with the directions of these arrows. Note that thelandscape data can use still picture data directly taken by a digitalcamera or the like connected to the destination guidance dataacquisition terminal 1B or artificial images prepared in advance.

[0109] It is then checked if the compile processes for all the approachand exit directions of the designated guide point are complete (stepS303). If No in step S303, the moving direction is updated (step S304),and guidance information at the guide point is input to continue to thecompile process. On the other hand, if Yes in step S303, the flowadvances to the next process.

[0110] It is checked if the compile processes for all the guide pointsare complete (step S305). If No in step S305, the guide point is updatedto a non-compiled one (step S306) to repeat the compile process (stepS302).

[0111] Note that the user may manually update the guide point using atouch pen or the like of the input unit 13. Alternatively, the guideinformation compile unit 25 may automatically select a neighboring guidepoint and present it to the user, thus supporting the compile process.The automatic update function of guide points can greatly reduce theload on the user, and can greatly improve the efficiency of the dataacquisition process.

[0112] Upon completion of the compile process of the guidanceinformation, the guidance information is sent to the destinationguidance data acquisition server 2B via the communication unit 11 (stepS307). The destination guidance data acquisition server 2B receives theguidance information sent from the destination guidance data acquisitionterminal 1B by the communication unit 21 (step S308A). The server 2Bstores the received guidance information in the guidance informationstorage unit 25 (step S308B), thus ending the process of the guidanceinformation compile step. Note that the guidance information may bestored in the format shown in FIG. 6.

[0113] As described above, according to the destination guidance dataacquisition system of this embodiment, since landmark information andlandscape information required to guide along the three-dimensionalstructure of the building can be efficiently acquired, and can beimmediately stored as digital data, a destination guidance dataacquisition service (FIG. 18) that can greatly reduce the dataacquisition time and human errors can be implemented.

Third Embodiment

[0114] The third embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow. A destination guidance data acquisition system according to thisembodiment aims at presenting a natural moving route to the user aspresentation information.

[0115] More specifically, in the second embodiment, the user manuallyinputs and compiles route data and guide point data using the structureinformation compile unit 17 (see FIGS. 15C and 15D). These route dataand guide point data must be laid out so as not to form an unnaturalroute that connects arbitrary departure and destination points,independently of the combinations of the departure and destinationpoints. For example, assume that movement information in a hall in arailway station shown in FIG. 15B is generated. In this case, if linesegments, which are set near the center of respective paths shown inFIG. 20A, are simply connected, as shown in FIG. 20B, a route thatconnects points C and D unnaturally detours, as shown in FIG. 20C. Insuch case, one line segment must be added to form a smooth route, asshown in, e.g., FIG. 20D.

[0116] However, in practice, it is difficult for all combinations ofdeparture and destination points to manually check if routes connectingthem are unnatural. Also, human errors and quality variations inevitablyoccur if such checking process is manually done. Furthermore, ifobstacles such as columns or the like are present in the hall, as shownin FIG. 20E, a route must be formed to avoid them, which furthercomplicates the problems.

[0117] These problems have their roots in the presence of innumerableroutes that pedestrians can choose in a broad-area site such as a hall,the vicinity of ticket gates, concourse, or the like, and all of theseroutes cannot be covered manually. Hence, this embodiment will explain adestination guidance data acquisition system that can solve theaforementioned problems by making a computer automatically generateroute data and guide point data of the broad-area site.

[0118]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition system according to the thirdembodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 19, the destination guidance dataacquisition system of the third embodiment has an arrangement in which astructure information generation unit 28 is added to the arrangement(see FIG. 12) of the system of the second embodiment. This structureinformation generation unit 28 automatically generates route data andguide point data of a broad-area site.

[0119] The operation of the destination guidance data acquisition systemaccording to this embodiment can be roughly classified into a structureinformation compile process and guidance information process as in thesystem of the second embodiment (see FIG. 13). FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21Care flowcharts of the structure information compile process to beexecuted by the destination guidance data acquisition system accordingto this embodiment (i.e., the detailed processing contents in step S200shown in FIG. 13). In FIG. 21A, the processes in steps S401 to S404 areexecuted by a destination guidance data acquisition terminal 1C, and theprocess in step S405 is executed by a destination guidance dataacquisition server 2C.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 21A, the destination guidance data acquisitionsystem inputs a plan view with the contents that have been explained inthe second embodiment, and inputs and compiles predetermined structureinformation (steps S401 and S402).

[0121] The structure information compile unit 17 inputs initial valuesof the structure information of the broad-area site (step S403). Notethat the initial values of the structure information include route datathat represent the perimeter of the broad-area site and contour lines ofobstacles, and guide point data that represent break points of the routedata. The guide points are mainly set at the turning points of contourlines, and are also set at the positions of stairs, ticket gates, andthe like as candidates of departure and destination points ofdestination guidance. In step S403, in case of the broad-area site inthe railway station shown in, e.g., FIG. 22A, route data and guidepoints shown in FIG. 22B are input as initial values.

[0122] In the process in step S403, route data and guide point data mustbe overwritten on the plan view of the building using a touch pen or thelike as in the compile process of the structure information in thesecond embodiment. However, even if such process is done, no problemdiscussed in the second embodiment is posed. A process for tracing theperimeter of the broad-area site and the contours of obstacles using theplan view as a rough sketch is close to a mechanical routine, and hardlycauses human errors and quality variations if such process is manuallydone. Since this process is close to a mechanical routine, it can alsobe implemented as a computer program.

[0123] The communication unit 11 sends the structure information, whichhas undergone the compile process and the like, to the destinationguidance data acquisition server 2C (step S404). The destinationguidance data acquisition server 2C executes the processes shown inFIGS. 21B and 21C on the basis of the received structure information,thus generating structure information of the broad-area site.

[0124] The destination guidance data acquisition server 2C receives thestructure information from the destination guidance data acquisitionterminal 1C (step S405A). The structure information generation unit 28of the destination guidance data acquisition server 2C executesprocesses in steps S405B1 to S405B9 shown in FIG. 21C on the-basis ofthe structure information. More specifically, the structure informationgeneration unit 28 selects arbitrary one point from the guide pointsstored in the structure information storage unit 26 as a departure point(step S405B1). Also, the unit 28 selects, as a destination point,another guide point of the broad-area site, which is not alreadyselected as the departure point (step S405B2).

[0125] It is checked if the departure and destination points can be seen(visible) from each other, i.e., if a line segment that connects thedeparture and destination points does not cross any other route data(step S405B3). If it is determined that the line segment does not crossany other route data, the departure and destination points are recordedas a visible point pair (step S405B4). For example, if guide point A inFIG. 22B is selected as a departure point, pairs of end points of linesegments shown in FIG. 22C are recorded as visible point pairs. On theother hand, if it is determined that the line segment crosses otherroute data, or after the process in step S405B4 is complete, the flowadvances to step S405B5.

[0126] It is checked if the visibility checking process for alldestination points other than the departure point is complete (stepS405B5). If No in step S405B5, the destination point is updated (stepS405B6) to repeat the visibility checking process for all destinationpoints. If Yes in step S405B5, it is checked if the visibility checkingprocess for all departure points is complete (step S405B7). If No instep S405B7, the departure point is updated (step S405B8), and thedestination point is reset to repeat the visibility checking process.

[0127] If it is determined in step S405B7 that the process is completefor all departure points, all visible point pairs obtained so far areconnected to each other via line segments (step S405B9). For example,when all different visible points are connected via line segments inFIG. 22B, a network shown in FIG. 22D is obtained. This network iscalled a visibility graph, in which respective line segments representroute data, and respective vertices represent guide point data.

[0128] When a moving route is generated by extracting portionscorresponding to an optimal route that connects the place of departureand destination from the route data and guide point data generated inthis way, an unnatural route is never generated independently of theplace of departure and destination selected. This is because a routethat efficiently heads for the destination by tracing visible points inturn matches a typical one that a pedestrian who knows every inch ofthat place takes. For example, an optimal route from point A to point Bin FIG. 22B is as shown in FIG. 22E.

[0129] When it is not desirable that the generated route is too close tothe perimeter of the broad-area site or obstacles, the contour line ofthe perimeter of the broad-area site is reduced, and those of obstaclesare enlarged before the visibility graph is obtained. Also, when thegenerated route is to be presented as a smooth one, the route can beapproximated by a spline curve or the like.

[0130] As described above, according to the destination guidance dataacquisition system of this embodiment, since route data and guide pointdata can be laid out so as not to form an unnatural route that connectstwo points in the broad-area site, a destination guidance acquisitionservice that can further reduce the data acquisition cost and humanerrors can be implemented.

Fourth Embodiment

[0131] A destination guidance system according to the fourth embodimentof the present invention will be described below. A destination guidancedata acquisition system of this embodiment aims at providingpresentation information which is easy for the user to understand.

[0132] More specifically, in the third embodiment, the structureinformation compile unit 17 and structure information generation unit 28input and compile or generate route data and guide point data. The guidepoint data are mainly located at branch points of the route data.Actually, guide points must be located at places where destinationguidance is to be presented to the user, i.e., places near landmarkswithin the sight of the user. Therefore, such place is not always abranch point of route data, and the user can often see a landmark on theline segment of route data.

[0133] Hence, in this embodiment, a guide point addition unit 29generates a new guide point on the line segment of route data, so thatdestination guidance can be presented at a position where the user canrecognize the route more easily.

[0134]FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance data acquisition system according to the fourthembodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 23, the destination guidance dataacquisition system according to the fourth embodiment has an arrangementin which the guide point addition unit 29 is added to the arrangement ofthe third embodiment shown in FIG. 19. The guide point addition unit 29adds a guide point, which is effective for the user to understand themoving route, on the line segment of route data stored in the structureinformation storage unit 26, in accordance with a predetermined input.

[0135] The operation of the destination guidance data acquisition systemaccording to this embodiment can be roughly classified into a structureinformation compile process and guidance information process as in thesystems of the second and third embodiments (see FIG. 13). FIGS. 24A and24B are flowcharts of the structure information compile process to beexecuted by a destination guidance data acquisition server 2D of thedestination guidance data acquisition system according to thisembodiment (i.e., the detailed processing contents in step S200 shown inFIG. 13). Note that the processes in steps S501, S502, and S503 in FIG.24A are the same as those described in the third embodiment. A processfor adding a guide point on the line segment of route data, which isexecuted in step S503, will be described in detail below with referenceto FIG. 24B.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 24B, the guide point addition unit 29 selectsarbitrary one of route data and sets a start point of that route data asthe current location (step S503A). It is checked if any landmark can beseen near the current location (step S503B). If Yes in step S503B, ascore of visibility of that landmark is calculated and recorded (stepS503C). If no landmark is seen near the current location, the flowadvances to step S503D.

[0137] It is checked if the current location is an end point of a route(step S503D). If No in step S503D, the current location is advancedtoward the end point by a small distance (step S503E), and the flowreturns to the process (step S503B) for checking if any landmark can beseen near the current location. On the other hand, if it is determinedthat the current location is an end point of a route (in other words, ifa scan of one route from the start point to the end point is complete),a guide point is generated at a position where the score of visibilityhas a peak value (step S503F).

[0138] It is checked if all routes have been checked (step S503G). If itis determined that routes to be checked still remain, arbitrary one ofthese routes is selected to update the route (step S503H), thusrepeating the same processes. On the other hand, if it is determinedthat all routes have been checked, the process in step S503 in FIG. 24Bends.

[0139] Whether or not any landmark can be seen near the current locationcan be checked in step S503B by determining if any landmark is presentwithin the visible region of the current location. Note that the visibleregion indicates a fan-shaped region indicated by the dotted line in,e.g., FIG. 25A. Whether or not any landmark is present within thisvisible region can be checked by determining if a portion of thelandmark falls within the visible region. For example, if a landmark hasa shape expressed by a polygon, as shown in FIG. 25A, it is checked ifany of sides of the polygon falls within the visible region. In thiscase, since sides AB and AD fall within the visible region, as shown inFIG. 25B, it is determined that the landmark is present within theregion.

[0140] Upon calculating the score of visibility of the landmark in stepS503C, it is checked if each side of that landmark can be seen from thecurrent location. For this purpose, it can be checked if the two endpoints of each side, and the current location form visible point pairs.For example, in FIG. 25C, since line segments that connect points A andB, and the current location do not cross any other line segments (e.g.,route data that represents the contour of the landmark), it isdetermined that side AB is visible from the current location.

[0141] On the other hand, since a line segment that connects point D andthe current location crosses line segment AB in FIG. 25D, it isdetermined that side AD is invisible from the current location. Then, anacute angle each side, which is determined to be visible, and a movingdirection vector make is calculated. For example, acute angle θ side ABand vector PD make is calculated in FIG. 25E.

[0142] A higher score is given as this angle is closer to 90°, i.e., thecurrent location and landmark are at face-to-face positions morecorrectly. For example, the score can be calculated using a functiongiven by “score of visibility=α (inner product of vectors BA and PD)”.Where a is a proportionality constant.

[0143] As described above, according to the destination guidance dataacquisition system of this embodiment, a guide point can be added to aposition on the line segment of route data where a landmark is seenwell. As a result, a destination guidance service (FIG. 17) that canpresent guidance at a position where the user can recognize a route moreeasily can be implemented.

Fifth Embodiment

[0144] A destination guidance system according to the fifth embodimentof the present invention will be described below. The destinationguidance system of this embodiment aims at generating presentationinformation which can guide the user from the place of departure to thedestination more appropriately.

[0145] More specifically, in, e.g., the destination guidance systemaccording to the first embodiment, the route information generation unit24 extracts a portion corresponding to an optimal route that connectsthe place of departure and destination input at the input unit 13 fromthe structure information stored in the structure information storageunit 26. This process is implemented by searching for a route with aminimum cost using Dijkstra's algorithm, which is known as a method ofobtaining an optimal route on network. The cost computation in the firstembodiment uses the distance of a route. Hence, according to thedestination guidance system of the first embodiment, presentationinformation associated with the shortest distance can be prevented.

[0146] However, a route with a shorter distance is not always an optimalone for pedestrians. For example, it is often important for pedestriansthat a route has a smaller number of turning points, and passes by alarger number of landmarks which allow the pedestrian to confirm thecurrent location, unless it takes a large detour.

[0147] Hence, this embodiment generates a route that can guide the userfrom the place of departure to the destination more appropriately bycalculating a cost in consideration of the number of turning points andthe number of guide points included in a route in addition to itsdistance.

[0148]FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance system according to the fifth embodiments of thepresent invention. As can be seen from FIG. 26, the destination guidancesystem of the fifth embodiment has an arrangement in which a costcalculation unit 30 is added to the arrangement of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

[0149] The cost calculation unit 30 searches for a route with a minimumcost by calculating the cost in consideration of the number of turningpoints and the number of guide points included in a route using theDijkstra's algorithm or the like. That is, since a pedestrian oftenloses his or her way upon turnaround, the number of turning pointsincluded in a route is preferably smaller. For this purpose, acalculation is made to increase the cost upon tracing a line segmentwhich turns at a larger angle in route search. On the other hand, sincea pedestrian becomes anxious when he or she goes along a route withoutany landmarks, the cost is decreased upon tracing a line segmentincluding a larger number of guide points. For example, the costcalculation unit 30 calculates the cost of each line segment included ina route using a function given by:

“cost=distance+(α×rotation angle)−(β×number of guide points)”

[0150] where α and β are positive constants. Also, the rotation angleindicates an angle the previous and current line segments make. Bysearching for a route which minimizes a cost, a plain guidance route forguiding the user from the place of departure to the destination can begenerated.

[0151] As described above, according to the destination guidance systemof this embodiment, since a route which has a smaller number of turningpoints and passes by more landmarks can be generated, a destinationguidance service (FIG. 17) that guides the user from the place ofdeparture to the destination more appropriately can be implemented.

Sixth Embodiment

[0152] A destination guidance data acquisition system according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Thedestination guidance data acquisition system of this embodimentefficiently provides landmark data and landscape data at guide pointswith lower cost.

[0153] That is, in, e.g., the fourth embodiment, landmark data andlandscape data which serve as landmarks in all approach and exitdirections of respective guide points are input and compiled using theguidance information compile unit 18 (see FIG. 16). However, the costrequired for this process is considerably high. Especially, sincelandscape data must be manually acquired at an actual site, the costrequired for this process becomes higher with increasing number of guidepoints. When the landscape of a given landmark has changed, or when anew obstacle is set in a broad-area site and a guide point has moved,most of existing landscape data must be re-acquired.

[0154]FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a destination guidance dataacquisition system according to the sixth embodiment. As can be seenfrom FIG. 27, the destination guidance data acquisition system of thisembodiment has an arrangement in which a landscape data conversion unit33 is added to the arrangement of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.23.

[0155] The guidance information storage unit 25 of the destinationguidance data acquisition system of this embodiment stores a pluralityof landscape data of each landmark seen from different directions. Thelandscape data conversion unit 33 generates landscape data at all guidepoints by interpolating the plurality of landscape data incorrespondence with the positions of guide points. The landscape dataconversion unit 33 can generate a landscape seen from another positionby interpolating landscapes of a given landmark seen from threedirections, as shown in, e.g., FIG. 28.

[0156] With this arrangement, since several landscape data need only beacquired per landmark, the process cost can be greatly reduced. Evenwhen the landscape of a given landmark has changed, only the landscapesof that landmark can be re-acquired. Even when a new obstacle is set inthe broad-area site, a new landscape can be generated byre-interpolating the acquired landscapes in correspondence with themoved guide point position.

Seventh Embodiment

[0157] A destination guidance system according to the seventh embodimentof the present invention will be described below. The destinationguidance system of this embodiment provides user-friendly guidance byselecting and presenting information, which is effective for theguidance from the generated presentation information.

[0158] That is, in, e.g., the fifth embodiment, the presentationinformation generation unit 23 generates presentation information. Thispresentation information is expressed by landmark data and landscapedata at respective guide points on a route generated by the routeinformation generation unit 24, and next directions to go. However, inpractice, guidance need not always be presented at all guide points onthe route. More specifically, it is often convenient for the user if thesystem selects particularly characteristic guide points and presentsthem at appropriate intervals that do not make the user feel anxious.

[0159] Hence, this embodiment selects guide points where guidance is tobe presented, on the basis of the intervals between neighboring guidepoints, and the scores of visibility of landmarks on a route.

[0160]FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of adestination guidance system according to the seventh embodiment. As canbe seen from FIG. 29, the destination guidance system of the seventhembodiment has an arrangement in which a guide point selection unit 32is added to the arrangement of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 26.

[0161] The guide point selection unit 32 selects guide points whereguidance is to be presented, on the basis of the intervals betweenneighboring guide points, and the scores of visibility of landmarks on aroute. More specifically, an optimal combination of guide points on aroute can be obtained using a function given by:

Score of a combination of guide points=Σ{(α×score ofvisibility)−(β×(ideal interval−interval from previous guide point)2)}

[0162] where α and β are positive constants. Also, the ideal intervalindicates a distance that a pedestrian can securely go without anylandmarks.

[0163] As described above, according to the destination guidance systemof this embodiment, since guidance can be presented with reference tooutstanding landmarks at appropriate intervals that do not make the userfeel anxious, a destination guidance service (FIG. 17) which is moreconvenient for the user can be implemented.

Eighth Embodiment

[0164] A destination guidance system according to the eighth embodimentof the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 10,the position acquisition unit 16 of the user terminal can acquireposition data from the position providing units 31 equipped in thebuilding via near-distance wireless communications such as Bluetooth™.This function exploits the fact that the user terminal receives only aradio wave from a specific wireless device within a given narrow range.However, in practice, it is difficult to accurately adjust the coverageof a radio wave in terms of cost. In a railway station or the like, notonly route guidance but also other information delivery services may begiven. In such case, wireless devices that use the same communicationsystem may be equipped together. For this reason, the user terminalreceives radio waves from a plurality of wireless devices, and oftenfails to detect a nearby position providing unit 31.

[0165] The aforementioned problem will be described in detail below. Forexample, assume that wireless devices are laid out, as shown in FIG. 30.In FIG. 30, position providing units 31 used in the destination guidanceservice are indicated by marks ★, and information providing devices usedin other information delivery services are indicated by marks ⋆.Actually, when a pedestrian receives the destination guidance service,the wireless devices with marks ★ alone are to be detected. However, ifdevices with marks ⋆ use the same communication system, radio waves fromthe devices of both the services are received and, hence, detectionoften requires a long time or fails.

[0166] Such problem is posed, e.g., when the number of communicationpartners designated upon detection is smaller than the number ofexisting communication partners. On the other hand, in order to attainquick detection, the number of communication partners is preferablyminimized. Hence, this embodiment solves this problem by controlling thenumber of communication partners by exploiting layout information ofwireless devices equipped in the building.

[0167]FIG. 31 shows the arrangement of the position acquisition unit 16of this embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 31, the positionacquisition unit 16 has a position detector 161 and position detectioncontroller 162. The position detector 161 receives position data fromthe position providing unit 31. The position detection controller 162controls the operation of the position detector 161 in accordance withthe layout information of wireless devices in the building, and sendsthe position detection result received from the position detector 161 tothe switching unit 15.

[0168]FIG. 32 shows a guidance route from guide point 20 to guide point22, and layout of wireless devices equipped around the route. The layoutinformation of wireless devices is stored in the guidance informationstorage unit 25 in a format shown in FIG. 33. In FIG. 33, “device ID” isa unique ID used to specify a wireless device, and the device ID of,e.g., Bluetooth™ is used.

[0169] Also, “type” indicates the use purpose of that wireless device.For example, “position provision” represents that the correspondingwireless device is used as a position providing unit, and “informationdelivery” represents that the corresponding wireless device is used in aservice for delivering building information or guidance information.Also, “setting location” is information used to specify the settinglocation of each wireless device, and is expressed by athree-dimensional coordinate position like (50, 20, 10) in the building.

[0170] Upon guiding from guide point 20 to guide point 22 in FIG. 32,the presentation information generation unit 23 generates positiondetection control information of respective guide points with referenceto the layout information of wireless devices shown in FIG. 33. Notethat the position detection control information has a format shown in,e.g., FIG. 34. In FIG. 34, “position providing device ID” indicates theID of the nearest one of wireless devices with marks ★ around each guidepoint. For example, for guide point 20, device 422626 is selected fromfive nearby devices 422626, 262642, 890512, 898522, and 179970 (e.g.,devices with which the user terminal can communicate at guide point 20).

[0171] Also, “brake device ID” indicates the ID of one of wirelessdevices with marks ⋆, which are not present in the vicinity of theguidance route, and such device is used when the user mistakes theroute. That is, the brake device ID indicates a wireless device whichmust not be detected when the user goes along a correct route. In FIG.34, device 799701 is selected for guide point 20. When this brake deviceID is used, if position data detected during guidance from guide point20 to guide point 21 is 99701, the switching unit 15 displaysinformation, which informs the user of a wrong direction, on thepresentation unit. At this time, information for correcting a route,e.g., information for guiding the user to return to guide point 20, ispreferably presented.

[0172] Furthermore, “detection parameter” in FIG. 34 is information usedto control the number of communication partners detected by the positiondetector 161, and is represented by the number of nearby devices or thelike. For example, “5” is designated for guide point 20.

[0173] The position detection controller 162 acquires position datawhile controlling the position detector 161 on the basis of the positiondetection control information shown in FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a flowchartshowing the sequence of this process. For example, upon guiding from,e.g., guide point 20 to guide point 21, the position detectioncontroller 162 designates “2” as the number of communication partners onthe basis of the detection parameter for guide point 21 (step 601), andinstructs the position detector 161 to start detection (step 602). Theposition detection controller 162 waits for the detection resultreturned from the position detector 161, and instructs the positiondetector 161 to end detection upon receiving the detection result (step603).

[0174] The position detection controller 162 then checks if thedetection result indicates position providing unit 645482 correspondingto guide point 21 (step 604), and sends the checking result to theswitching unit. If the checking result indicates a brake wirelessdevice, since the user has mistaken the route, the position detectioncontroller 162 instructs the switching unit to present guidance thatprompts the user to return to guide point 20 (steps 608 and 609), andthe flow returns to step 601. If the detection result indicates guidepoint 21, the position detection controller 162 instructs the switchingunit to present guidance to next guide point 22 (step 605).

[0175] The position detection controller 162 checks if the detectionresult indicates the destination (step 606). If the detection resultindicates the destination, the processing ends. If the detection resultdoes not indicate the destination, the current position is updated (step607), and the flow returns to step 601 to continue the processing.

[0176] As described above, according to the destination guidance systemof this embodiment, even when wireless devices that use the samecommunication system are equipped together, since position data can beacquired in correspondence with a communication environment of eachplace, a destination guidance service (FIG. 17) with a stable automaticswitching function of guidance presentation can be implemented.

[0177] Note that this embodiment is directed to only wireless devicesequipped in the building, but the same control can be made inconsideration of the distribution of terminals, which have establishedconnection to respective wireless devices.

Ninth Embodiment

[0178] A destination guidance system according to the ninth embodimentof the present invention will be explained below. This embodiment willexplain a destination guidance system which can facilitate transferguidance using a destination guidance function, and allows the user touse destination guidance more naturally.

[0179]FIG. 37 shows an example of information to be provided to the userby the destination guidance system of this embodiment. A conventionaltransfer guidance guides a time- or fare-priority transfer route on thebasis of a departure station, destination station, and time designatedby the user. By contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 37, transferroutes available at a departure station are displayed as icons. Iconsbeside “J station” respectively indicate “a route along which the usercan use escalator”, “a route along which the user can use elevator”, “aroute that passes a dedicated transfer ticket gate”, “a route thatpasses a ticket-vending machine at which the user can buy a transferticket”, and “a route along which the user can take a meal”.

[0180]FIG. 38 shows an example of destination guidance displayed whenthe user selects icon “a route that passes a dedicated transfer ticketgate) of the information shown in FIG. 37. Presently, a service thatallows the user to see a list of facilities in a railway station isavailable. However, the user himself or herself must confirm using anarea chart if such service is available within the ticket gates to beable to be used upon transfer. By contrast, when such service iscombined with destination guidance, only the facilities that can be usedupon transfer can be selectively presented.

[0181] Also, in the conventional transfer guidance, the transfer time iscalculated as a given time. However, using the destination guidance, anactually required moving time can be calculated to designate a transfertime, which is used upon searching for a transfer route.

[0182]FIG. 36 shows a schematic arrangement of a destination guidancesystem of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 36, the destination guidancesystem of this embodiment has a transfer guidance server 1F anddestination guidance server 2F.

[0183] A communication unit 11 communicates with other servers, andtransfer guidance clients such as browsers.

[0184] A control unit 12 controls a transfer route generation unit 13and transfer guidance generation unit 14 to generate transfer guidancein accordance with a transfer guidance generation request received viathe communication unit 11, and to send back the generation result to arequest source via the communication unit 11. A transfer data storageunit 15 stores line data, timetable data, and the like required tocalculate a transfer route and to generate guidance.

[0185] The transfer route generation unit 13 calculates a transfer routeavailable for the requested departure station, destination station, andtime, on the basis of data in the transfer data storage unit 15, andsends the calculation result to the transfer guidance generation unit14. The transfer guidance generation unit 14 generates guidance to bepresented in, e.g., HTML format, as shown in FIG. 37, in accordance withthe route calculated by the transfer route generation unit 13. In orderto display icons shown in FIG. 37, the transfer guidance generation unit14 requests the destination guidance server to list moving routes upongenerating guidance. In case of FIG. 37, the unit 14 requests the serverto list moving routes from the platform of Y line (outer track) to thatof O line (express) of J station.

[0186] At this time, the profile of the user and conditions designatedin condition designation of a transfer guidance may be sent to thedestination guidance server together if they are available. The contentsto be sent to the destination guidance server are described in, e.g., aformat “command, station type, place of departure, destination,departure time, condition 1, condition 2, etc”.

[0187] Upon requesting moving routes in Shinjuku station in FIG. 37, thecontents to be sent to the destination guidance server can be describedas “route listing, S station, platform of Y line (outer track), platformof O line (express), 9:10, with baggage”.

[0188] The operation of the destination guidance system in response tothe aforementioned moving route search request will be described belowwith reference to FIG. 36. The destination guidance server 2F shown inFIG. 36 has an arrangement in which a route condition listing unit 35and route listing unit 34 are added to the arrangement shown in FIG. 26.The route condition listing unit 35 lists conditions of routes to besearched for by the route information generation unit 24 on the basis ofconditions designated by the transfer guidance server.

[0189] The route listing unit 34 holds a correspondence table shown inFIG. 40. In FIG. 40, “user condition” includes the user's physicalcondition, favor, situation at that time, and the like, and “objectiveclass” includes route search conditions that the user may require undersuch conditions. In case of the aforementioned example, since “withbaggage” is designated as a condition by the transfer guidance server,“barrier free” is determined to be a candidate of condition using thecorrespondence table shown in FIG. 40 upon searching for routes. Also,“meal” may also be selected as a candidate based on the departure timeif it is around the lunch time.

[0190] Then, using a correspondence table shown in FIG. 39, practical“search conditions” are determined based on “objective class”. In caseof FIG. 37, since “barrier free” is the designated condition,“escalator” and “elevator” are listed as search conditions. Theobjective class “transfer” is a condition which is always selected if noconditions are designated and, hence, “transfer ticket gate”, “settlingmachine”, and “ticket-vending machine” are listed as search conditions.With the aforementioned process, in case of FIG. 37, search conditions“escalator, elevator, transfer ticket gate, settling machine,ticket-vending machine” are sent to the route listing unit 34.

[0191] On the other hand, when the transfer guidance server designates arequired transfer time, e.g., when a transfer time=7 min is designatedas a condition in case of FIG. 37, the route condition listing unit 35adds the required transfer time to the search conditions to be sent tothe route listing unit 34. When the user instructs to execute a transferguidance while prioritizing time, the required transfer time isdesignated as a condition by the transfer guidance server.

[0192] The required transfer time is a condition common to all objectsthat the user must pass. Hence, search conditions “escalator & 7 min,elevator & 7 min, transfer ticket gate & 7 min, settling machine & 7min, ticket-vending machine & 7 min” are output from the route conditionlisting unit 35. “Escalator & 7 min” indicates a condition for searchingfor a route along which the user can move using an escalator within 7min.

[0193] The route listing unit 34 checks if routes that meet the searchconditions listed by the route condition listing unit 35 are available.The operation of the route listing unit 34 will be described below usingthe flowchart of FIG. 41. One condition is selected from the searchcondition list passed from the route condition listing unit 35 (step4201). In the aforementioned example, for example, “escalator” isselected. If all conditions have undergone search, the flow advances tostep 4209; otherwise, the flow advances to step 4203 (step 4202).

[0194] It is then checked using data in a structure information storageunit 26 and guidance information storage unit 25 if a guide pointcorresponding to the selected search condition is present on thepremises of the designated station (step 4203). If the correspondingguide point is present, the flow advances to step 4205; otherwise, theflow advances to step 4208 since a route need not be searched for.

[0195] A route information generation unit 24 then searches for a routethat passes the guide point corresponding to the object designated bythe search condition (step 4205). At this time, if the required transfertime is designated, the route information generation unit 24 searchesfor a route, the moving time of which is equal to or shorter than thedesignated required transfer time. If a route is found, the flowadvances to step 4207; otherwise, the flow advances to step 4208 (step4206). If a route is found, information indicating the presence of theroute that matches the selected search condition is stored (step 4207).

[0196] Information indicating that the current search condition hasalready undergone the search process is stored (step 4208). Theaforementioned process is repeated for all search conditions, and a listof search conditions under which routes are found is sent to thetransfer guidance server (step 4209). For example, a list “escalator,elevator, transfer ticket gate, ticket-vending machine” is sent.

[0197] Upon receiving the aforementioned processing result of thedestination guidance server, the transfer guidance generation unit 14generates presentation information shown in FIG. 37 by appending theresult from the destination guidance server to the transfer informationcalculated by the transfer route generation unit 13. For example, iconscorresponding to “escalator, elevator, transfer ticket gate,ticket-vending machine” received from the destination guidance serverare displayed. URLs that execute destination guidance under suchconditions are appended to these icons as link information. When theuser selects an icon displayed on the browser, the destination guidanceserver is caused to execute a process under the designated condition,and guidance shown in, e.g., FIG. 38, can be presented.

[0198] When the destination guidance server executes a moving routelisting process without designating any required transfer time, if routeguidance is given under the search condition of an icon of user'schoice, the required transfer time may be exceeded. Hence, in this case,the destination guidance server informs corresponding required times inaddition to the list of search conditions. For example, the serverinforms a result “escalator·7 min, elevator·6 min, transfer ticketgate·5 min, ticket-vending machine·10 min”.

[0199] Note that “escalator·7 min” indicates that a route using anescalator requires 7 min to move. If the required transfer time isexceeded when the user moves under the condition of the icon of his orher choice, the destination guidance server re-calculates a transferroute in consideration of the moving time, and presents guidance to theuser.

[0200] In this way, problems posed when the transfer and destinationguidance services are independently given, and the user must use suchservices by checking and repetitively inputting conditions by himself orherself can be solved.

[0201] The processing in this embodiment can be implemented by a programthat can be executed by a computer, and that program can be implementedas a computer readable storage medium.

[0202] Note that a magnetic disk, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk(CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, or the like), magnetooptical disk (MO or the like),semiconductor memory, and the like may be used as the storage medium ofthis embodiment, but the storage format is not particularly limited aslong as they can store a program and can be read by a computer.

[0203] Also, an OS (operating system), database management software, MW(middleware) such as a network, or the like, which is running on acomputer may execute some of processes for implementing this embodimenton the basis of an instruction of the program which is installed fromthe storage medium in the computer.

[0204] Furthermore, the storage medium in this embodiment is not limitedto media independent from a computer, and includes a storage medium thatdownloads and stores or temporarily stores a program delivered via aLAN, Internet, or the like.

[0205] The number of storage media is not limited to one, and thestorage medium according to this embodiment includes a case whereinrespective processes of this embodiment are executed from a plurality ofmedia. In such case, the form of media may adopt any of theaforementioned ones.

[0206] Note that the computer in this embodiment executes the respectiveprocesses on the basis of the program stored in the storage medium. Suchcomputer may comprise either a standalone device such as a personalcomputer or the like, or a system formed by connecting a plurality ofdevices via a network.

[0207] The computer in this embodiment is not limited to a personalcomputer, and includes an arithmetic processing device, microcomputer,and the like included in an information processing apparatus, i.e.,“computer” is a generic term of apparatuses and devices that canimplement the functions of this embodiment based on the program.

[0208] According to the aforementioned embodiments, guidance can begiven in, e.g., a railway station with a complicated three-dimensionalstructure with reference to both the entire route and detailedinformation of the current place. Furthermore, since informationrequired to give such destination guidance can be efficiently acquired,destination guidance can be implemented at low cost, and its effect isgreat.

1. A destination guidance system, comprising: a structure informationmemory which stores structure information corresponding tomulti-dimensional information pertaining to a structure, the structureinformation including a plurality of guide points on themulti-dimensional structure, and route data indicating moving routesthat connect the plurality of guide points; a guidance informationmemory configured to store first guidance information including at leastone of landmark data and landscape data concerning a plurality ofapproach and exit directions to and from the guide points; an input unitconfigured to accept a user input defining a desired place of departureand destination; a recommended route generation unit configured togenerate a recommended route, which is recommended upon movement fromthe place of departure to the destination, by selecting and connectingat least one of the route data stored in said structure informationmemory; a presentation information generation unit configured to extractsecond guidance information concerning approach and exit directions toand from at least one guide point, which is present on the recommendedroute, from the first guidance information in said guidance informationmemory, and to generate presentation information that contains thesecond guidance information; and a presentation unit configured topresent the presentation information.
 2. A system according to claim 1,wherein said presentation information generation unit generates thepresentation information to present third guidance informationassociated with movement across different floors, which are present onthe recommended route, and fourth guidance information associated withmovement on a single floor in different formats.
 3. A system accordingto claim 1, wherein the presentation information includes informationthat pertains to the recommended route, and information that pertains toa moving direction and a current position.
 4. A system according toclaim 3 and utilizing current position data from a position providingdevice provided on the structure wherein said presentation unit switchesthe present information to the guidance information or the informationthat pertains to the recommended route at a predetermined guide point ofthe presentation information in response to the current position data,or a switching input from a user.
 5. A system according to claim 1,wherein said recommended route generation unit generates the recommendedroute on the basis of a time condition or a guide point where the userwants to pass. 6-9. (Canceled)
 10. A server apparatus which generatesinformation pertaining to guidance on a multi-dimensional structure andsends the information to a user terminal, comprising: a communicationdevice configured to communicate with the user terminal; a structureinformation memory which stores structure information corresponding toinformation pertaining to the multi-dimensional structure, the structureinformation including a plurality of guide points on themulti-dimensional structure and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points; a guidance information memorywhich stores first guidance information, which includes at least one oflandmark data and landscape data concerning a plurality of approach andexit directions to and from the guide points; a recommended routegeneration unit configured to generate a recommended route, which isrecommended upon movement from a place of departure to a destinationinput from the user terminal, by selecting and connecting at least oneof the route data stored in said structure information memory; and apresentation information generation unit configured to extract secondguidance information concerning the plurality of the approach and exitdirections to and from at least one of the guide point, which is presenton the recommended route, from the first guidance information in saidguidance information memory, and to generate presentation informationwhich contains the second guidance information and is sent to the userterminal via said communication device.
 11. An apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the presentation information includes information thatpertains to the recommended route, and information that pertains to amoving direction and a current position.
 12. An apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein said recommended route generation unit comprises: aroute search unit configured to search for a plurality of moving routesupon movement from the place of departure to the destination; a costcalculator which calculates costs for the respective moving routes byscoring the number of turning points and the number of guide pointsincluded in each of the plurality of moving routes and obtain a costcalculator result; and a selection unit configured to select therecommended route from the plurality of moving routes on the basis ofthe cost calculation result.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 10,wherein said presentation information generation unit extracts, fromsaid guidance information memory, third guidance information associatedwith only a guide point designated in advance, of the guide pointspresent on the recommended route.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 10and utilizing a position information transmission device provided on themulti-dimensional structure, wherein said communication device receives,from the user terminal, position information that the user terminal hasreceived from the position information transmission device provided onmulti-dimensional structure, said apparatus further comprises a checkingunit configured to check based on the position information received bysaid communication device whether the user is moving along therecommended route or not, and said presentation unit presentspresentation information which includes third guidance informationpertaining to the next guide point when said checking unit determinesthat the user is moving along the recommended route, and presentspresentation information which includes fourth guidance informationpertaining to a nearby guide point on the recommended route when saidchecking unit determines that the user is not moving along therecommended route.
 15. A user terminal communicating with a serverapparatus which generates information pertaining to guidance on amulti-dimensional structure, comprising: an input unit configured toinput a de sired place of departure and destination on themulti-dimensional structure; a communication device configured to sendthe place of departure and destination to the server apparatus, and toreceive the information pertaining to guidance on the multi-dimensionalstructure from the server apparatus; and a presentation unit configuredto present the information pertaining to guidance on the premises of thebuilding.
 16. A terminal according to claim 15 and communicating with atleast one of a plurality of position information transmission devicesprovided on the multi-dimensional structure, wherein said communicationdevice receives position information from at least one of the pluralityof position information transmission devices, said terminal furtherincludes a checking unit configured to check based on the receivedposition information whether a user is moving along a recommended routeor not, and said presentation unit presents presentation informationwhich includes guidance information pertaining to the next guide pointwhen said checking unit determines that the user is moving along therecommended route, and presents presentation information which includesguidance information pertaining to a nearby guide point on therecommended route when said checking unit determines that the user isnot moving along the recommended route.
 17. A terminal according toclaim 16, further comprising a communication controller which controlssaid communication unit to receive the position information from onlythe predetermined position information transmission device.
 18. Adestination guidance method comprising: storing structure informationcorresponding to information pertaining to a multi-dimensional structurethe structure information including a plurality of guide points on thepremises of the building, and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points in a guidance information memory;storing first guidance information, which includes at least one oflandmark data and landscape data concerning a plurality of approach andexit directions to and from the guide points; accepting a user inputdefining a desired place of departure and destination; generating arecommended route, which is recommended upon movement from the place ofdeparture to the destination, by selecting and connecting at least oneof the stored route data; extracting second guidance informationconcerning the plurality of the approach and exit directions to and fromat least one of the guide point, which is present on the recommendedroute, from the guidance information in the guidance information memory;generating presentation information that contains the guidanceinformation; and presenting the presentation information.
 19. A methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the presentation information containsinformation that pertains to the recommended route, and information thatpertains to a moving direction and a current position.
 20. A computerreadable memory storing a guidance program, the guidance programcomprising: first store means for causing a computer to store structureinformation corresponding to information pertaining to amulti-dimensional structure, the structure information including aplurality of guide points on the premises of the building and route dataindicating moving routes that connect the plurality of guide points;second store means for causing a computer to store guidance information,which includes landmark data and landscape data for a plurality ofapproach and exit directions to and from the guide points in a guidanceinformation memory; first generation means for causing a computer togenerate a recommended route, which is recommended upon movement from aplace of departure to a destination which are input from a userterminal, by selecting and connecting at least one of the stored routedata; second means for causing a computer to extract guidanceinformation concerning the plurality of the approach and exit directionsto and from at least one of the guide points, which is present on therecommended route, from said guidance information memory, and forgenerating presentation information that contains the guidanceinformation; and means for causing a computer to send the presentationinformation to the user terminal via a communication device.
 21. Amedium according to claim 20, wherein the presentation informationcontains information that pertains to the recommended route, andinformation that pertains to a moving direction and a current position.22. A destination guidance data acquisition system comprising: apresentation unit configured to present a structural drawing on amulti-dimensional structure; a structure information generation unitconfigured to generate structure information by designating a pluralityof guide points on the multi-dimensional structure and route dataindicating moving routes that connect the plurality of guide points onthe structural drawing on the multi-dimensional structure; a structureinformation memory which stores the structure information; a guidanceinformation generation unit configured to generate guidance informationby inputting landmark data or landscape data, which serve as landmarksin a plurality of line-of-sight directions upon approaching or existingfrom each of the plurality of guide points of the structure information;and a guidance information memory which stores the guide information foreach of the guide points.
 23. A system according to claim 22, furthercomprising a compiler which compiles the structure information or theguidance information.
 24. A destination guidance data acquisitionterminal which acquires information pertaining to guidance on amulti-dimensional structure, and sends the acquired information to aserver, comprising: a presentation unit configured to present astructural drawing of the multi-dimensional structure; a structureinformation generation unit configured to generate structure informationby designating a plurality of guide points on the premises of themulti-dimensional structure and route data indicating moving routes thatconnect the plurality of guide points on the presented structuraldrawing of the multi-dimensional structure; a guidance informationgeneration unit configured to generate guidance information by inputtinglandmark data or landscape data, which serve as landmarks in a pluralityof line-of-sight directions upon approaching or existing from each ofthe plurality of guide points of the structure information; and acommunication device configured to send the structure information andthe guidance information for each guide point to the server.
 25. Aterminal according to claim 24, further comprising a compiler whichcompiles the structure information or the guidance information.
 26. Aterminal according to claim 24, further comprising a positioninformation reception unit configured to receive position informationfrom a position information providing device provided on themulti-dimensional structure, and wherein said guidance informationgeneration unit selects a guide point for which guidance information isto be generated, on the basis of the position information received bysaid position information reception section, and generates guidanceinformation for the selected guide point.
 27. A destination guidancedata acquisition server which acquires data pertaining to guidance on amulti-dimensional structure in accordance with an input from adestination guidance data acquisition terminal, comprising: acommunication device configured to communicate with the destinationguidance data acquisition terminal; a structure information memory whichstores structure information corresponding to information received bysaid communication device, the structure information being generated bydesignating a plurality of guide points, and route data indicatingmoving routes that connect the plurality of guide points on a structuraldrawing of the multi-dimensional structure; and a guidance informationmemory which stores, for each guide point, guidance informationcorresponding to information received by said communication device, theguidance information being generated by inputting landmark data orlandscape data which serve as landmarks in a plurality of line-of-sightdirections upon approaching or existing from each of the plurality ofguide points of the structure information.
 28. A server according toclaim 27, further comprising: an input unit configured to input thestructural drawing of the multi-dimensional structure; and a structureinformation generation unit configured to generate structure informationby setting a plurality of guide points, and route data indicating movingroutes that connect the plurality of guide points on the inputstructural drawing.
 29. A server according to claim 27, furthercomprising a guidance information assist unit configured to generate theguidance information corresponding to movement of a viewpoint along theroute data by interpolating the input landmark data or landscape data.30. A destination guidance data acquisition method comprising:generating structure information by designating a plurality of guidepoints on a multi-dimensional structure and route data indicating movingroutes that connect the plurality of guide points on a structuraldrawing of the multi-dimensional structure; storing the structureinformation; generating guidance information by inputting landmark dataor landscape data, which serve as landmarks in a plurality ofline-of-sight directions upon approaching or existing from each of theplurality of guide points of the structure information; storing theguide information for each guide point; and presenting at least one ofthe structural drawing of the multi-dimensional structure, the structureinformation, and the guidance information.
 31. A method according toclaim 30, further comprising compiling g the structure information orthe guidance information.
 32. A computer readable memory comprising:means for causing a computer to communicate with a destination guidancedata acquisition terminal; first storage means for causing a computer tostore structure information, which is information received via thecommunication, and is generated by designating a plurality of guidepoints, and route data indicating moving routes that connect theplurality of guide points on a structural drawing on a multi-dimensionalstructure; and second storage means for causing a computer to store, foreach guide point, guidance information which is information received viathe communication, and is generated by inputting landmark data orlandscape data which serve as landmarks in a plurality of line-of-sightdirections upon approaching or existing from each of the plurality ofguide points of the structure information.
 33. A computer readablememory storing a guidance program, the guidance program comprising:means for causing a computer to present a structural drawing of amulti-dimensional structure; first generation means for causing acomputer to generate structure information by designating a plurality ofguide points on the multi-dimensional structure and route dataindicating moving routes that connect the plurality of guide points onthe presented structural drawing of the multi-dimensional structure;second generation means for causing a computer to generate guidanceinformation by inputting landmark data or landscape data, which serve aslandmarks in a plurality of line-of-sight directions upon approaching orexisting from each of the plurality of guide points of the structureinformation; and means for causing a computer to send the structureinformation and the guidance information for each guide point to theserver.
 34. A memory according to claim 33, further comprising: meansfor causing a computer to receive position information from a positioninformation providing device provided on the multi-dimensionalstructure; and means for causing a computer to select a guide point forwhich guidance information is to be generated, on the basis of thereceived position information, and generate guidance information for theselected guide point.
 35. A memory according to claim 33, the guidanceprogram further comprising: means for causing a computer to compile thestructure information or the guidance information.
 36. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said structure information memory whichstores structure information corresponding to two-dimensionalinformation pertaining to a structure.
 37. A system according to claim1, wherein said structure information memory stores structureinformation corresponding to three-dimensional information pertaining toa three-dimensional structure.
 38. An apparatus according to claim 10,wherein said structure information memory stores structure informationcorresponding to two-dimensional information pertaining to atwo-dimensional structure.
 39. An apparatus according to claim 10,wherein said structure information memory stores structure informationcorresponding to three-dimensional information pertaining to athree-dimensional structure.
 40. An apparatus according to claim 15,wherein said input unit is configured to input a desired place ofdeparture and destination on a two-dimensional structure.
 41. Anapparatus according to claim 15, wherein said input unit is configuredto input a desired place of departure and destination on athree-dimensional structure.
 42. A method according to claim 18, whereinsaid step of storing structure information stores structure informationcorresponding to two-dimensional information pertaining to atwo-dimensional structure.
 43. A method according to claim 18, whereinsaid step of storing structure information stores structure informationcorresponding to three-dimensional information pertaining to athree-dimensional structure.
 44. A computer readable memory according toclaim 20, wherein said first store means stores structure informationcorresponding to two-dimensional information pertaining to atwo-dimensional structure.
 45. A computer readable memory according toclaim 20, wherein said first store means stores structure informationcorresponding to three-dimensional information pertaining to athree-dimensional structure.
 46. A system according to claim 22, whereinsaid presentation unit is configured to present a structural drawing ofa two-dimensional structure, and the structure information generationunit is configured to generate structure information by designating aplurality of guide points and route data on the two-dimensionalstructure.
 47. A system according to claim 22, wherein said presentationunit is configured to present a structural drawing of athree-dimensional structure, and the structure information generationunit is configured to generate structure information by designating aplurality of guide points and route data on the three-dimensionalstructure.
 49. A terminal according to claim 24, wherein saidpresentation unit is configured to present a structural drawing of atwo-dimensional structure, and the structure information generation unitis configured to generate structure information by designating aplurality of guide points and route data on the two-dimensionalstructure.
 50. A terminal according to claim 24, wherein saidpresentation unit is configured to present a structural drawing of athree-dimensional structure, and the structure information generationunit is configured to generate structure information by designating aplurality of guide points and route data on the three-dimensionalstructure.
 51. A server according to claim 27, wherein said structureinformation memory is configured to store structure informationdesignating a plurality of guide points and route data on atwo-dimensional structure.
 52. A server according to claim 27, whereinsaid structure information memory is configured to store structureinformation designating a plurality of guide points and route data on athree-dimensional structure.
 53. A method according to claim 30, whereinsaid step of generating generates two dimensional structure informationcorresponding to two-dimensional information pertaining to atwo-dimensional structure, and the storing step stores thetwo-dimensional structure information.
 54. A method according to claim30, wherein said step of generating generates three dimensionalstructure information corresponding to three-dimensional informationpertaining to a two-dimensional structure, and the storing step storesthe three-dimensional structure information.
 55. A computer readablemedium according to claim 32, wherein said first storage means causesthe computer to store structure information on a two-dimensionalstructure.
 56. A computer readable medium according to claim 32, whereinsaid first storage means causes the computer to store structureinformation on a three-dimensional structure.
 57. A computer readablemedium according to claim 33, wherein said means for causing causes thecomputer to present a structural drawing of a two-dimensional structure,and the first generation means causes the computer to generatetwo-dimensional structure information.
 58. A computer readable mediumaccording to claim 33, wherein said means for causing the computer topresent a structural drawing causes the computer to present a structuraldrawing of a two-dimensional structure, and the first generation meanscauses the computer to generate two-dimensional structure information.59. A computer readable medium according to claim 33, wherein said meansfor causing the computer to present a structural drawing causes thecomputer to present a structural drawing of a three-dimensionalstructure, and the first generation means causes the computer togenerate three-dimensional structure information.